Boxes made for therapist

Students form the Peninsula Alternative Learning Centre (PALC) have recently completed their first project for the year, constructing boxes for an occupational therapist.

Mitchell Hamstra, Jason Scott, Jeff O'Connor, Brodie Mortimer and Nathan Wilson built to order the OHS boxes for a private occupational therapist.

The boxes will be used to teach correct lifting technique and for assessment of workplace injuries.

The students, referred from Brisbane Water Secondary College, participated in the project as part of an on-site work experience program run at the PALC.

This project targeted students who were interested in a career in building and construction.

Occupational therapist Jacqueline Henry said the boxes were designed to assess the ability of persons to lift and handle loads safely and effectively.

"They are used by occupational therapists, such as myself, and physiotherapists involved in assessing and rehabilitating Individuals.

"This can assist us to make a decision about their safe capability for return to work.

"These boxes are of different weights and heights and can be loaded to increase the load handled.

"By observation of the way in which lifting and carrying takes place, the therapist can identify just how much knowledge of correct manual handling techniques the participant has, as well as how an injury prevents them from using safe handling techniques," she said.

Through the project, the students were taught business skills in cabinet making, costing and tendering for projects and generating cutting schedules for timber ordering.

Program coordinator Mr Nic Urie said he found the group enthusiastic.

"The students commented on how participating in the project taught them how to work well as a group and how enjoyable it was to actually finish something.

"They often stayed back after class sanding and varnishing the boxes and were all very proud of the final product," he said.

Proceeds of the sale of the boxes will be used to improve the range of tools for further projects.

Other projects coming up at the centre will include trailer suspension repair and maintenance for students interested in a career in the automotive industry.

Students will be instructed by an adult education teacher in small engines and automotive maintenance.

There will also be a project constructing possum habitat boxes.

This project will not only give experience in cabinet making, but also animal handling and wildlife protection.

The group will receive assistance from local Wildlife ARC volunteers and the boxes will be used to address a possum problem at the local PCYC.

The Learning Centre targets young people, aged 12 to18, living on the Woy Woy Peninsula, identified as at risk of leaving school.

It is also open to young people who are not attending school who will benefit from an alternative to mainstream school.

Letter, March 3